BBC iPlayer
The BBC has launched a new easy-to-use service that lets you access television programmes via your PC. BBC iPlayer is offering "seven-day catch-up television" – meaning that BBC TV programmes can be downloaded for free up to a week after transmission.
The programmes are free for UK licence fee payers, at high quality and with no advertising. Once you have downloaded a programme to your computer you have 30 days within which to start watching and seven days to finish watching it. After this time, the programme will automatically be deleted.
BBC iPlayer plans to incorporate radio and live streaming of TV at a later date as well as looking at offering BBC iPlayer on a range of platforms including cable and mobile.
The iPlayer experience has not been taken in by everyone as Mark Lawson says, "The likes of iPlayer let us watch programmes any time, but we risk losing the shared TV experience"
The BBC has now signed a deal with Nintendo to make its iPlayer available via Wii games consoles. The deal is the latest part of the BBC's strategy to make web-based content available on TV screens, as well as increase the iPlayer's audience by making its content more widely available
The BBC has also signed a deal with Apple which will allow iPod users to legally download BBC programmes onto their iPods at a cost of £1.89.
Video streaming
You can now watch live BBC TV coverage of major sports events such as Wimbledon and the Open Championship on your computer. You can also catch up with a variety of BBC Two programmes such as The Catherine Tate Show or Top Gear, and watch video of the latest news and sport stories.
BBC channels on YouTube
Two BBC channels offer clips and short features on current programmes such as EastEnders and Doctor Who, and clips from the archives including Spooks and Top Gear.
Digital TV on the move
It's now possible to receive digital TV on a computer – even a laptop – with a special digital terrestrial television adapter and aerial that plugs into a USB slot. Contact a retailer or look online for more information.
BBC's Wider Audience/BBC Switch
The BBC is also trying to lure in a new, younger audience of 12 to 16 years old by having a much anticipated teen strategy. BBC Switch is a cross-platform, which will use games design, online syndication, social networking and user-generated content. It will span teen-focused content on television, radio and the internet, including a new weekly music show on BBC2. Signs of Life is a broadband drama aimed at teens produced by Big Brother producer Endemol. Signs of Life was inspired by Twin Peaks and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "The aim is to allow viewers to use interactivity to find out more about the drama and themselves," explains Peter Cowley, director of interactive media at Endemol.
From October 20, 12 to 16 year-olds will be able to have their very own teen focused hour on BBC2 on sunday afternoons. This will have a new music show called 'Sound' hosted by Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw, featuring the best in new UK music filmed at outside locations accross the country. The show runs for 30 mins, the other half of hour will be filled with the show 'Falcon Beach' a coming of age drama. The BBC is clearly under pressure to boost its teen appeal in the face of growing competition from iPods, mobile phones and online entertainment services such as MySpace and Bebo.
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